Shujaa coach Simiyu asks KRU to align competitions calendar

Newly appointed Kenya Rugby Sevens head coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu has advised the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) top brass to align the local competitions – the Kenya Cup and the Championship – so as to be played in line with international competitions calendar

Namcos said it became a challenge during his first spell at the helm of Shujaa selecting the national team to represent the country in international competitions because many of the players are committed to their respective clubs.

Simiyu was last week handed another stint to lead the national sevens team, two years since his sacking after he accepted full responsibility for the infamous Paris Sevens player protest that followed spectacular sponsor fallout.

At the same time, the former international wants the Union to settle the difference in its leadership to give the technical bench room to build the team instead of keeping on firing and hiring new coaches, as has been the norm.

“In the last 10 years we have seen many coaches walk in and out of our national team and that is not right. KRU should keep their differences aside and stop changing coaches’ anyhow. This is something which keeps on dragging us behind. A new coach is a challenge to players because he comes with different tactics which players were not accustomed to .”

“This trend should change, and this is from the Government, down the line to the federation. People should stop thinking about how they should benefit and instead should think on how to develop the game. They should come up with strong measures and believe you me our team will continue registering good results and earning international accolades,”he observed.

Simiyu was named the head coach on September 8 replacing New Zealander Paul Feeney who left the role on mutual consent.